Dominicans rally against abortion

Church leaders, politicians and civil groups have announced they will take measures to express opposition to a bill that would legalize abortion in the Dominican Republic.

Speaking to reports, Bishop Jesús María de Jesús Moya of San Francisco de Macoris and Bishop Julio César Corniel Amaro of Puerto Plata expressed their rejection of abortion as the killing of an innocent human being.

“The Church will oppose anything that attacks human life and in order to achieve this, she is willing to take any action necessary so that this inalienable right to life of men and women is respected,” Bishop Corniel Amaro told reporters, saying the bishops plan to organize a diocesan meeting in order to plan pro-life activities.

They also announced a special Mass would be celebrated on October 25 outside the country’s parliament by Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez of Santo Domingo, and a march for life would be held on October 28.

The Social Christian Reformist Party and its presidential candidate, Amable Aristy, began a national campaign this week called “A Green Light to Life.” Speaking to reporters, Aristy said President Leonel Fernandez is responsible for promoting the issue of abortion in the country. He noted that the new Penal Code makes abortion a crime.

Aristy said his position on abortion was not partisan but rather an expression of his belief that the “right to life is a fundamental and absolute human right that cannot be restricted.”

“Nobody has the right to determine or decide who should be born and who should die. That’s the reason for our Green Light to Life campaign,” he said.

Senator Cristina Lizardo of Santo Domingo called on the country’s institutions to respect life. “I wish to say that the right to life is not a religious question, but rather a moral and juridical one, and that is a commandment from God,” she said.